What welder do you use?

[Nelsonmd]

Hey guys,
I have some money to be used for a welder. What welder do you guys use? I would like to be able to use it on my 4runner (sliders, bumper, etc. stuff like that) as well as other random stuff I come up with.

My problem is that I live in rental apartments (a multi-family house right now and likely in the future as well). I don't have a 220V outlet, and likely don't have a high current 120V outlet either. I do have a detached garage right now that I could store gas in.

So what would be my best choice? I have read that the best all around setup is a oxy-acetylene setup. Do you guys agree?

I am looking in the $200-400 range.

 

[Bandit Runner]

I use a Hobart Handler 140 with flux-core wire, and it works great. Can do up to 1/4" thick steel too, with proper prep. Also, its super easy to use.

 

[jpontius]

I also have a Handler 140. It's a great little welder, and it's made by Miller. It runs flux-cored wire pretty well, but also come with regulator to run gas. Only downside to it is only 4 amperage settings (not infinitely variable). But in this price range, that's how it goes.

 

[Big John]

Oxy acetylene is surely not what will meet your needs.
Any one of the name brand 110 machines should do you just fine.
That said... There is a lot more to making things like bumpers and sliders than just the welder. You need a way to cut it, grind it, possibly bend it, and all of the consumable's for these tools. All this can start to add up pretty quickly. If you don't have these tools to go with the welder, then it will be difficult at best to achieve a decent result.

 

[J-money$$$]

I use a small lincoln stick welder, it does pretty good, and runs off 220. There is nothing like welding with the Big welders my dad use to bring home from work, They were lincoln welders on trailers idk what model, but those kicked butt

 

[Kurtis]

I have a harbor frieght 115v welder that i picked up for $100 on sale. Right now I'm just practicing...Making 2 pieces of metal stick together. aka bird ****.

 

[HuntNFish]

I have never welded, so I can't help you there. But if you are looking to pick one up, keep an eye out at local auctions. I have seen them come up from time to time, in fact you missed one today:
BUISNESS LIQUIDATION AT AUCTION - Weymouth, MA

Let me know when you get one, I'd love to help you try to fab up some sliders.

 

[theizzardking]

I have a harbor frieght 115v welder that i picked up for $100 on sale. Right now I'm just practicing...Making 2 pieces of metal stick together. aka bird ****.

Lol , glue gun with steel , good stuff , I'm no pro by any means but we've all been there haha

Keep it up man , if you got a band saw , try welding up some "t"s made from plate and saw them in half to check penetration and adjust your speed and angle accordingly.

You may already know that though , lol , like I said I'm no pro, lol , just basic stuff I learned on my lunch breaks haha


I'd kill for a home welder, my house is in the country from 1920 and would require major upgrades to support a welder of any worth, lol

 

[JohnsD90]

Lol , glue gun with steel , good stuff , I'm no pro by any means but we've all been there haha

Keep it up man , if you got a band saw , try welding up some "t"s made from plate and saw them in half to check penetration and adjust your speed and angle accordingly.

You may already know that though , lol , like I said I'm no pro, lol , just basic stuff I learned on my lunch breaks haha


I'd kill for a home welder, my house is in the country from 1920 and would require major upgrades to support a welder of any worth, lol

I have a Miller welder at my house, i think its Stick, but we didnt buy it cause its a Welder, we bought it cause its a generator to power the house when the power is out, its nice that its on the generator cause it doesnt cost that much to weld then.

 

[theizzardking]

Nice my neighborhood goes black like 5-6 times a year , I could really use one of those , lol

 

[gm350reratliff]

I have a lincoln power mig 180 (220V). Its rated to weld up to 3/16" metal with a single pass. I've welded slightly thicker stuff and had it turn out ok. At my former job we used to have two big ESAB welders and a lincoln power mig 255xt. With those you could pretty much weld anything. We also had a big Miller TIG welder. Lincoln electric makes a 110V model too. With flux core wire you can weld thicker metal. However, you get a cleaner looking weld with gas shielding. Take some classes at the local trade school or college branch before buying. They should have more than capable equipment there to do your projects. You can learn proper techniques and what equipment to buy. Bumpers and sliders (if you want them to be functional) will require a more penetrating weld than what a 110V welder can do. Its a stretch, but if your landlord is cool and the main breaker box is in the garage you could get someone to install a 220V outlet in the garage for you. Another option if you have an electric dryer or stove is to make an extension cord that is long enough to run to the garage.

 

[JohnsD90]

Nice my neighborhood goes black like 5-6 times a year , I could really use one of those , lol

Reread that statement. But i guess, once you go black, you never go back.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Reread that statement. But i guess, once you go black, you never go back.

I guess you would know:boink:

 

[downpour11]

Bump!

[MENTION=68576]Brian757[/MENTION]

Figured I'd bring this back up. I recently had an opportunity to learn how to weld and am considering buying a MIG welder and a tank. ^^^good info above.

My stepdad has been looking around at buying a generator for quite some time as well. Does anyone have and recommendations as to a generator/welder setup? I'm not sure what is overkill within the $1.5k to $3k range, but we are looking for a nice generator. 220v outlet is not a problem.

 

[JohnsD90]

I guess you would know:boink:

Statement is funny now, considering I just bought a black 4runner.

 

[Rockdawg84]

I have a thermoarc 3in1 welder. A little more than the OP was looking to spend but is great. will weld mig, stick and tig all from the same inverter welding unit. takes 220 but will do anything I could ever need.

 

[smkd13]

Well I use a Lincoln 140 (flux-core) and a Miller 210 (mig). They are just the ones I have access to. I have used Hobart and a really old thermal arc.

If your just talking about working on your rig here an there. My suggestion is to stick with a Lincoln 140 / Hobart 140 / miller equivalent. They are around 400 - 600, run off 120V, have the ability for flux core or shielded.

When you get into the more expensive welders you gonna be talking duty cycle and higher voltage. You don't need that unless you are gonna be welding all day long and need the extended duty cycles.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Miller Millermatic 251 with 30A spoolmatic and 300A Profax whip. I am hoping to pick up a used Miller Maxstar 150F or a new in box Chinese knock off like the ever max 140. It'd be nice to have a 120V machine for small projects and it small enough I can store it in my apartment.